J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay will help Roberto Orci write the next “Star Trek” film for Bad Robot and Paramount, according to two individuals familiar with the project. The writers have yet to pen a movie that got made, but they are favorites of both the studio and Bad Robot, which produces the “Star Trek” films.

Payne and McKay already worked on an adaptation of the graphic novel “Boilerplate” for Bad Robot, one of several projects in development at J.J. Abrams‘ company, which has faith in the writers’ abilities.

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The duo will write the script with Orci, who worked on the first two “Star Trek” movies with Alex Kurtzman.

Abrams will not be directing “Star Trek 3” because of “Star Wars: Episode VII.”

Kurtzman will not be involved with “Star Trek 3,” as he’s busy working on future “Amazing Spider-Man” films and developing several projects under his and Orci’s K/O Paper Products banner, which produced two movies this year.

Bad Robot, Skydance Productions and Paramount also need to work out the deal for director Joe Cornish. They love the idea of working with the “Attack the Block” director, but the deal is far from done.

Payne and McKay are represented by UTA and Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment.